Dear Health-Conscious Friend,
ACHOO! Geshundheit! With the summer in full swingyoure likely to hear those expressions quite often.
In todays Monday Edition of Health News Weekly, Ill give you some helpful hints for controlling and managing allergy symptoms.
Youll also find out which common over-the-counter drugs can almost DOUBLE your risk of hip fracture
plus youll discover an amazingyet simple remedy to stop bones loss as you get older.
So lets get started!
How to Survive the Season for Sneezin!
Pollen pet dander mold peanuts these common triggers can cause sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny nose. The floral beauty of the spring and summer season can bring a lot of misery for allergy sufferers!
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 50 million Americans suffer from various allergies. When you have an allergy and come in contact with a triggeryour immune system produces antibodies and chemicals to fight the foreign substance. This battle is what causes the sneezing, congestion and other symptoms.
Experts are unsure about the cause of allergies. Genetics do come into play. Theres a 1 in 3 chance that a person develops the allergy of one parent. The odds increase if both parents have allergies!
Whats more, if youre exposed to substances when your immune system is weak, you could later develop allergies to those triggers.
Theres no known cure for allergies. But here are some helpful hints for controlling your allergies and treating the symptoms:
Avoid known triggersDetermine exactly what youre allergic to and avoid contact with that trigger if possible.
MedicationOver-the-counter and prescription antihistamines, decongestants or anti-inflammatory medicines can provide some relief. A nasal wash can also help prevent germs from entering your body.
Allergy shotsYou may need allergy shots if regular medicines dont help. Doctors provide shots with small doses of the allergen to lessen your sensitivity. Be aware that shots dont work on all people or for all allergies.
Air filtersSome folks recommend using HEPA air filters to whisk away airborne allergens such as pet dander. Many vacuum cleaners use the same kind of filters to eliminate excess dust from the air.
Mattress and pillow dust coversStudies show these tightly woven covers can help people who are sensitive to dust mites. But they dont provide relief from other allergens such as pollen.
The best way to find out what will work for you is to be tested to find out what causes your allergic reactions. This can help you stay armed and ready to contend with the sneezing season!
Heartburn Helpers May Harm Healthy Hip Bones!
If youre one of the millions of people taking prescription drugs like Nexium®, Prevacid® and Prilosec® to fight heartburna study linking these drugs to an increased risk of hip fractures is stomach-churning news!
According to a study published in the December 27, 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association, long-term use of the class of heartburn drugs known as proton pump inhibitors can raise the risk of hip fractures in people over 50.
The study included medical data from more than 145,000 patients in England, where a large electronic database of records is available for research. The average age of the patients was 77.
Researchers found that patients using proton pump inhibitors for more than a year had a 44 percent higher risk of experiencing a hip fracture than non-users. Whats more, scientists found that the longer patients took the drugs the higher their risk of experiencing hip fractures!
Study co-author Dr. Yu-Xio Yang, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, said for every 336 elderly patients treated for more than a year with high doses of these drugs, one extra hip fracture each year could be associated with extended drug use.
The reason for the increased risk? Scientists concluded that in addition to reducing stomach acids, these powerful heartburn drugs also make it more difficult for the body to absorb calcium. And calcium is a vital component of strong, healthy bones
Fight Bone Lossand Avoid Harmful Hip Fractures!
The U.S. Surgeon General says bone disease is a growing public health crisis. In the 2004 report Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona revealed that a startling 10 million Americans over age 50 have osteoporosis. Another 34 million have low bone masswhich eventually leads to osteoporosis.
These bone diseases are the main reason why 1.5 million Americans suffer painful and costly bone fractures each year. Dr. Carmona warned these numbers could double or triple in the next 20 years!
Such alarming statistics are largely due to a widespread calcium deficiency in the American diet. As you age, your body becomes less efficient at absorbing calcium. In general, older adults should take in between 1,000 to 1,500 mg of calcium every day.
However, postmenopausal women and older men need even more calcium. The U.S. National Institutes of Health recommendation for pre- and post-menopausal women who take estrogen therapy is 1,200 mg of calcium each day.
The truth is most Americans consume only half the recommended daily calcium requirement. If you dont get enough calcium in your diet, your body starts to withdraw calcium from your BONES!
Because your body cannot produce calcium, one way to ensure you get enough is to eat foods rich in calcium, such as:
- Dairy productslow-fat or nonfat milk, cheese, and yogurt
- Dark leafy green vegetablesspinach, collard greens, and broccoli
- Almonds
- Fish-sardines and canned salmon with bones
- Foods fortified with calciumincluding orange juice, cereal, and breads
An easy way to enjoy the bountiful benefits of calciumand to ensure its maximum absorption in your bodyis to take a Vitamin D enriched calcium supplement. Vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium it needs to control bone loss.
Dont allow prescription heartburn drugs to rob your bones of needed strength! You can build a skeleton of steeland protect yourself from brittle bonesby boosting your calcium intake. It just might prevent you from suffering a painful hip fracture and loss of freedom!
Fast Fact
Listerine therapy for toenail fungus: Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
Health E-Hints
The Do-It-Yourself Approach to a Clean Colon
If youve thought about consulting a medical specialist to give your insides a thorough scrubbingthe word from your colon is hold on, I can do it myself!
Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, Michael Picco, M.D. says that while some doctors may recommend colon cleansing to prepare for a medical exam, most dont recommend the procedure for improving health or preventing disease. Dr. Picco said many folks believe colon cleansing removes toxins boosts energy levels and improves their immune systems. But, he points out, special diets or pills arent necessary because:
- Your colon is designed to NATURALLY eliminate waste and bacteria, and
- Some colon-cleansing programs can upset your bodys fluid and electrolyte balance. This can cause dehydration and salt depletion.
- Plus, long-term colon cleansing programs can lead to anemia malnutrition and even heart failure!
A simple way to prevent constipationwithout colon cleansingis to drink plenty of water. Combined with a fiber-rich diet, youll help your colon respond naturally to eliminate harmful toxins.